I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 139 The Rebellious Prince of Lu! Empress Dowager Li Takes Control of the Situation
March 20th, early morning.

Five hundred eligible women of marriageable age were sent to the forbidden city.

They will live in the imperial palace's rear garden for a month under the supervision of a group of eunuchs.

After that, fifty women will advance.

One of these fifty women will be lucky enough to become queen.

The remaining forty-nine people will also remain in the palace.

If she were to gain the favor of the young Wanli Emperor, she could quickly become a concubine, bringing endless wealth and honor to her family.

This is the emperor's marriage.

It strictly adheres to etiquette and rules, without any personal feelings involved.

This day.

Shen Nian and all the examiners and officials who participated in the imperial examination were rewarded.

among them.

Shen Nian's reward was: eighty taels of silver, five bolts of silk, plus two gold-rimmed fans sprinkled with gold.

A fan with gold-trimmed handles and sprinkled gold.

This refers to a type of precious folding fan produced in Sichuan, with a market price of one tael of gold, and it was often given as a reward in the palace.

There were exactly two.

Shen Nian then prepared to send it to her father and father-in-law, who lived far away in the Northwest.

at the same time.

The cabinet and the Ministry of Personnel are discussing the selection of new officials for the various provinces of Henan.

This time, Henan's officialdom will undergo a major reshuffle.

Some princely families in Henan have begun donating land to avoid disaster, while princely families in other provinces have also donated land and quickly submitted memorials to the court to fully cooperate with the land survey.

Although these princes and nobles did not donate much, they had already shown their attitude.

They saw the imperial court's determination to conduct land surveys this time.

The former Longqing Emperor was kind to them, but the current young emperor may not be so, and no one wants to become a negative example and be severely punished.

These actions by the imperial princes made Zhang Juzheng, Shen Nian and others realize that the imperial princes were all paper tigers.

Also.

While the newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) of the second and third classes were being assigned to various government offices as educational administrators, the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy also began selecting Shujishi (probationary officials).

Requirements: Newly appointed Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) under the age of forty.

Then, within one month, at least fifteen articles must be submitted to the Ministry of Rites, including essays, policy proposals, poems, rhapsodies, prefaces, and records.

Subsequently.

The Ministry of Rites would select candidates based on the wording and style of the essays, then set a date for an examination. Those who passed the examination could enter the academy and become a junior scholar.

As soon as the selection process began, second and third-class Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) under the age of forty enthusiastically signed up.

This is yet another opportunity for a carp to leap over the dragon gate.

The highest rank a junior scholar could attain was Zhang Juzheng, but the current highest rank might be Shen Nian.

Shen Nianruo was not a junior scholar.

He might be serving as the chief official in some remote prefecture or county at the moment, and it might be ten or twenty years before he has the chance to see the emperor's face, let alone become a lecturer or a lecturer.

……

March 21, near noon, Wenhua Hall.

Shen Yiguan, a lecturer and compiler of the Hanlin Academy, is explaining the Han-Xiongnu War in the Zizhi Tongjian to the young Wanli Emperor.

The other speakers lined up on either side.

Influenced by Shen Nian.

Nowadays, the daily lectures given by all the lecturers no longer consist of reciting the original text, translating the original text, and finally using history as a lesson to encourage the emperor.

Instead, various stories are interspersed during the explanation to make the historical materials vivid and interesting.

Although not as infectious as Shen Nian, it can still make the teaching effect much better.

Shen Yiguan originally despised Shen Nian's approach the most.

However, after experiencing the effectiveness of Shen Nian's teaching method and seeing how much the young Wanli Emperor liked it, he still began to imitate Shen Nian.

He still imitates the most accurately.

Just as Shen Yiguan was speaking with the most excitement, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from not far away.

Shen Nian glanced at it out of the corner of her eye.

Zhang Juzheng walked in front, followed by Chen Jingbang, the Left Imperial Tutor and Reader of the Hanlin Academy, and two junior eunuchs.

Shen Nian noticed that Chen Jingbang was covering his head with one hand, looking pained.

It appears he has an injury to his forehead.

The young Wanli Emperor clearly noticed this as well, and immediately beckoned Shen Yiguan to stop lecturing.

"Prime Minister, what has happened?" asked the young Wanli Emperor.

Zhang Juzheng turned to look at Chen Jingbang behind him.

Pfft!
Chen Jingbang, a reader in the Hanlin Academy, suddenly knelt on the ground and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I am incompetent and truly unable to teach... I cannot teach His Highness Prince Lu. Please punish me!"

this moment.

Everyone noticed a red swelling on the left side of Chen Jingbang's forehead, and there were still traces of blood that hadn't been wiped away from the corner of his eye.

Upon hearing this, and seeing this injury...

Everyone then realized that this must have been caused by the Prince of Lu, the younger brother of Emperor Wanli, who had just turned ten earlier this year and had always been lawless in the Forbidden City.

Prince Lu, also known as Zhu Yiliu.

His reputation for being unruly is well-known.

However, because Empress Dowager Li and the young Wanli Emperor both doted on him, no official dared to provoke him.

This year, Prince Lu has turned ten.

At the behest of the young Wanli Emperor, Zhang Juzheng added some more courses for him.

Among them, Chen Jingbang, a Hanlin Academy reader, was mainly responsible for his lectures, and he had been in office for less than two months.

Emperor Wanli frowned slightly and asked, "Chen Shidu, please tell me in detail what happened."

Chen Jingbang looked aggrieved.

"Your Majesty, it might be emotional and unfair of me to speak like this. Let the two eunuchs who served Prince Lu and witnessed everything speak for him!"

"Okay." Little Wanli nodded.

immediately.

The two young eunuchs then recounted what had happened.

simply put--

When Chen Jingbang was lecturing to Prince Lu in the South Third Study Room inside Donghua Gate, Prince Lu sat improperly. In addition, when Chen Jingbang asked him to copy articles, he did not copy "sage" as "virtuous sage" and "loyalty and filial piety" as "filial piety and loyalty".

Chen Jingbang couldn't help but offer a few words of tactful advice to the Prince of Lu.

Prince Lu found Chen Jingbang long-winded.

Enraged, he picked up the inkstone on the table and threw it, accidentally hitting Chen Jingbang on the forehead.

When Prince Lu saw blood on Chen Jingbang's forehead, he was terrified and rushed towards Empress Dowager Li's palace.

The two eunuchs emphasized that it was an "accident," but the officials present all felt that he may have done it on purpose.

This is not the first time Prince Lu has caused trouble.

It was in early March.

He once poured ink into Chen Jingbang's teacup, once rode on the neck of a young eunuch while playing in the study, and once secretly left the palace to ride an elephant in the elephant house, causing four eunuchs serving him to be beaten half to death by Feng Bao.

Compared to the younger Wanli Emperor, who was subject to triple supervision from the imperial court, the imperial garden, and the eunuchs, he rarely overstepped his bounds.

The ten-year-old Prince Lu was arrogant and domineering, wanting to do whatever he pleased immediately.

Empress Dowager Li doted on him greatly.

Even if they do something wrong, they are usually only verbally reprimanded, and no one is willing to punish them severely.

Seeing Zhang Juzheng's serious expression, the young Wanli Emperor couldn't help but ask, "Prime Minister, what do you think should be done to punish the Prince of Lu?"

"Your Majesty, I suggest that Prince Lu be punished by kneeling before the late Emperor's portrait in the Fengxian Hall for one day, and then confined to his quarters for one month!"

Zhang Juzheng proposed extremely severe punishments, demonstrating his deep dissatisfaction with the Prince of Lu's behavior.

confined to one's home.

They didn't just lock it in the room and ignore it, letting it play and sleep as it pleased; they even brought it three meals a day.

If the Prince of Lu is confined to his quarters, he will be punished by copying articles; if he fails to complete them, his confinement period will be extended. The young Wanli Emperor frowned slightly.

He loved his younger brother very much and was well aware of Empress Dowager Li's affection for him.

Let alone a month of confinement, even seven days would not be acceptable to Empress Dowager Li.

at this time.

Feng Bao strode over from outside, opening his mouth as if to speak, clearly having something to say.

"Otomo, what makes you in such a hurry?"

Feng Bao first glanced at Chen Jingbang, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager asked me to convey a message: Prince Lu accidentally hit Chen Jingbang with an inkstone. He has already realized his mistake and she has reprimanded him. Prince Lu will certainly not do such a thing again in the future."

"Furthermore...Furthermore...Prince Lu said that Chen Shidu's lectures were too boring, and he wanted to change the lecturer. Ideally, Shen Bianxiu could spare some time to arrange a few lectures for Prince Lu each month. The Empress Dowager thought this suggestion was feasible and specially requested His Majesty's opinion."

At that moment, two editors named Shen stood below the throne: Shen Yiguan and Shen Nian.

However, everyone tacitly believed that the Prince of Lu was referring to Shen Nian, not Shen Yiguan, and even Shen Yiguan himself was certain that he was referring to Shen Nian.

This is the charm of Shen Nian's lectures, unique in the Ming Dynasty.

Prince Lu specifically named Shen Nian.

On the one hand, it was because the young Wanli Emperor had repeatedly praised Shen Nian's lectures in front of Prince Lu.

On the other hand, a junior eunuch who had once listened to Shen Nian's lectures at the Inner Academy was serving by Prince Lu's side and was constantly praising Shen Nian's teaching methods.

Just when everyone thought that Empress Dowager Li's actions were too indulgent towards Prince Lu.

Chen Jingbang, who was already kneeling on the ground, suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I am guilty, I deserve to die!"

boom! boom! boom!
Ignoring the injury on his forehead, Chen Jingbang kowtowed violently to the stone slab.

Every sound was crisp and clear.

He wasn't admitting guilt, but rather expressing his dissatisfaction.

It was clearly the Prince of Lu's unruly behavior that was to blame, but now it's being used to accuse him of having problems with his teaching.

The greatest insult to a Japanese lecturer is being accused of being a poor lecturer.

The essential.

Chen Jingbang was recognized by Emperor Wanli (the young emperor).

He admitted that he didn't speak as well as Shen Nian, but he didn't deserve such humiliation.

If the young Wanli Emperor had not upheld justice for him, he would have died right there. For him, the dignity of a scholar-official was above all else.

"Quick...quick...grab Chen Shidu!" Little Wanli shouted.

Two eunuchs quickly grabbed Chen Jingbang, pulled him up, and made him stand aside.

At this time.

Zhang Juzheng bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, the fault of lecturing to Prince Lu does not lie with Chen, the tutor. Prince Lu is unruly and disobedient, which is known throughout the court. I implore Your Majesty to persuade the Empress Dowager to severely punish Prince Lu!"

Zhang Juzheng had long been disgusted by the Prince of Lu's various behaviors.

If Chen Jingbang is replaced today, no official will be willing to lecture the Prince of Lu in the future.

Zhang Juzheng was still very protective of his subordinates.

However, at present, only Emperor Wanli and Empress Dowager Li are qualified to punish Prince Lu.

The young Wanli Emperor thought for a moment and looked at Zhang Juzheng.

"Prime Minister, Prince Lu is only ten years old, a time when he is most unruly. In my opinion, he should not be confined to his quarters. Let him kneel before the late Emperor for an hour as punishment, and then... then deduct half a year's salary!"

He was fined six months' salary.

For the Prince of Lu, this punishment was no different from no punishment at all.

At the time, Prince Lu had no concept of salary; whatever he wanted to eat or do, Empress Dowager Li would satisfy him.

The young Wanli Emperor wanted to handle the matter in a minor manner.

"Furthermore, I will not replace the lecturer for the Prince of Lu without a reason. I will report this firmly to the Empress Dowager later," said the young Wanli Emperor.

“Your Majesty, the Prince of Lu’s actions represent the dignity of the royal family. If we handle this way, it may encourage the Prince of Lu to commit even greater mistakes in the future!” Zhang Juzheng still couldn’t help but advise, feeling that the punishment for the Prince of Lu was too lenient.

Emperor Wanli looked helpless.

"I will consider the Prime Minister's intentions, and I will try my best to discuss them with my mother!"

At present, the decision-making power regarding this matter rests with Empress Dowager Li.

Zhang Juzheng immediately stepped aside.

He knew that Empress Dowager Li was not so easily persuaded, and that the young Wanli Emperor's compromise was already quite good.

at this time.

Suddenly, a young eunuch announced loudly, "The Empress Dowager Cixi has arrived!"

Empress Dowager Li has not been able to sit behind a curtain during daily lectures for a long time, but she is still entitled to be here.

The Wenhua Hall cannot be considered part of the previous dynasty.

soon.

Empress Dowager Li walked slowly, accompanied by several maids and eunuchs.

The young Wanli Emperor quickly stood up, and Zhang Juzheng and other officials all bowed in greeting. Chen Jingbang, who was standing to the side, also quickly bowed in greeting.

"Mother!" the young Wanli Emperor called out softly.

Empress Dowager Li nodded, first glancing at Chen Jingbang.

"You've worked hard, Attendant Chen. Prince Lu accidentally hit you, but he has admitted his mistake, and I have already reprimanded him. Please don't take offense!"

"Your subject dares not!" Chen Jingbang bowed.

Immediately, a eunuch placed a large chair next to the throne, and Empress Dowager Li sat down.

"Your Majesty, how do you intend to punish Prince Lu?"

Emperor Wanli said, “Your Majesty, Prince Lu has been quite unruly lately. I plan to punish him by making him kneel before the portrait of Father for an hour, and then... and then deduct half a year’s salary.”

Empress Dowager Li frowned slightly.

"He's only ten years old and physically weak, so instead of making him kneel, we should deduct half a year's salary and then make him write ten large characters!"

"I'll listen to Mother." Young Wanli was quick to back down.

When he ascended the throne, he was also ten years old, but it was common for him to be forced to kneel for two or three hours as punishment.

Now, if it were the Prince of Lu, he would be physically weak.

Empress Dowager Li's doting on Prince Lu had reached a point that left people speechless.

Zhang Juzheng remained silent to the side.

Disciplining Prince Lu was a matter of the royal family. Although royal affairs were national affairs, Empress Dowager Li always had the final say in disciplining Prince Lu.

Empress Dowager Li had no expectations for Prince Lu's political career; she only hoped he would be happy. Therefore, she didn't care at all about his academic performance.

Zhang Juzheng pleaded with the young Wanli Emperor to punish the Prince of Lu because the young Wanli Emperor was able to distinguish right from wrong.

When you try to reason with Empress Dowager Li about right and wrong, she sheds tears and starts saying things like "orphan and widow, helpless and alone," and it becomes very difficult to appease her.

At this moment, Chen Jingbang looked displeased.

I want to kneel down and kowtow again to protest against this kind of spoiling behavior.

But just as he was about to make a move, two eunuchs grabbed his arms, preventing him from kneeling.

Then, Empress Dowager Li looked at the young Wanli Emperor.

"Your Majesty, it's not that Attendant Chen is bad at lecturing, but perhaps he and Prince Lu are incompatible! I suggest we trouble Editor Shen to give Prince Lu a few lessons each month when he has time. Of course, the other lecturers can continue to teach as usual. What does Your Majesty think?"

The young Wanli Emperor said, "What Mother says makes a lot of sense. I will make the arrangements!"

"Very well!" With that, Empress Dowager Li left.

The lecturers looked at each other in bewilderment. In this matter, they, a group of lecturers, were no match for Empress Dowager Li.

The young Wanli Emperor was so cowardly that he obeyed Empress Dowager Li's every word.

Little Wanli looked at Shen Nian.

"Editor Shen, I'll have to trouble you to teach Prince Lu a few lessons over the next few days and educate him properly. If he becomes dissatisfied with you or even lays a hand on you, I will punish him severely!"

Shen Nian thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, please allow me to teach Prince Lu in my own way. I guarantee that within three days at most, I will make Prince Lu study diligently and dare not cause trouble again. Moreover, I will not allow Prince Lu to complain to the Empress Dowager because he is dissatisfied with me!"

"Really? If that's possible, I will certainly grant it!" the young Wanli Emperor said with a smile.

Shen Nian always manages to bring him surprises.

Shen Nian was a teacher in two lifetimes, specializing in treating troubled teenagers.

Prince Lu is clearly going through a rebellious phase and likes to seek attention. Shen Nian has already figured out how to make him completely obedient.

Beside him, Chen Jingbang looked at Shen Nian with excitement.

If Shen Nian can make Prince Lu behave and become a diligent and studious young man, he will definitely raise a few more cups at the next lecturers' gathering to toast Shen Nian.

(End of this chapter)